The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched LAR Verify, a digital portal to improve the welfare and safe transport of live animals by air. 

IATA noted that using LAR Verify, airlines, shippers, and freight forwarders can access accurate operator and destination-specific requirements as defined by the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR).

The regulations have formed the basis for the worldwide transport of live animals by air for more than 50 years.

Meanwhile, the new portal offers an automated compliance solution for live animal shipments, streamlining planning, booking, acceptance and handling.

IATA data shows that there were close to 200,000 live animal shipments globally in 2024's up 11% since 2019. 

"The volume of specialised cargo, live animals in particular, continues to grow. To manage this opportunity safely and efficiently, a single digital portal that provides access to relevant LAR regulations and facilitates data sharing is mission-critical," said Brendan Sullivan, global head of cargo at IATA.

"As envisioned by IATA's ONE Record initiative, the release of LAR Verify is a key milestone towards achieving a single source of truth for live animal shipments," he added.

IATA noted that LAR Verify can be embedded into cargo management systems, making it easier to integrate into existing workflows.

It outlines state and operator regulations for the export, import, transit, and transfer of live animals, as well as documentation requirements such as destination-specific import licenses, animal classifications, container standards, labelling, and live updates on regional embargoes and trade regulations, including disease outbreak management protocols.

IATA said that through an API, shippers and freight forwarders can also upload all required documents for airline verification.

It added that once all documents are correct, airlines can issue a physical acceptance of the cargo, negating the need to move live animals until their travel is confirmed.